The University of Alabama at Birmingham Athletics
Softball Season Preview: Infielders
2/8/2011 12:00:00 AM | Softball
Feb. 8, 2011
This is the second segment of a three-part series previewing the 2011 UAB softball team. Tuesday's segment features the infielders. Wednesday, UABsports.com will highlight the outfielders.
With five starters returning from UAB's 2010 NCAA tournament team and four talented newcomers, the Blazers will have a lot of depth in the infield this season.
Junior Erica Sisson returns for the Blazers at first base. The Hoover, Ala., product started 38 games last season and recorded a .985 fielding percentage. Junior Kayla Orr, the Blazers' starting shortstop, will serve as her backup.
"Erica is our starter, then Kayla can come over if needed," UAB head coach Marla Townsend said. "Lauren Webster and two freshmen, Megan McGrath and Lannah Campbell, are also taking reps at first."
Webster primarily serves as a pitcher for the Blazers but posted a .206 batting average in 68 at bats last season. McGrath, who hit .506 with three home runs and 36 RBI during her senior season at Gaither High School (Fla.), and Campbell, a 2010 all-region selection by the Mobile Press Register, also will be on hand to step in at first base.
The Blazers have several options at second base with junior Catherine Douglass and senior Natalie Mitchell competing for the starting job. Douglass made 34 starts for the Green and Gold in 2010, starting at shortstop and moving to various other places in the field throughout the season. Mitchell made 31 starts at second base and as the designated player, posting a .972 fielding percentage.
"Cat Douglass has moved to second and is doing a great job of learning that side of the field," Townsend said. "Her bat also will dictate if she'll be in the starting lineup, so she could see time at second base, left field or even shortstop. Natalie Mitchell has been constantly improving at second base and she will definitely see some time there as a senior."
Townsend also may utilize freshman Heather Pearson at second base.
"She has one of the quickest releases that I've seen in a collegiate athlete," Townsend said. "She's doing well; it's just a matter of learning the game and the defenses. She's a go-getter, a great communicator and is a backup at shortstop as well."
Orr, who started all 59 games in 2010, will return at shortstop for the Blazers this season. Orr was named to the Louisville Slugger/NFCA Division 1 All-Region First Team after a successful 2010 campaign. The Hartselle, Ala., product was also a first-team All-Conference USA selection. She broke UAB's single-season slugging percentage record (.565), ranked seventh in the league with a .339 batting average and tied for fourth with 43 RBI. She blasted a team-high 10 home runs and had 14 multiple-hit games.
Sophomore Kate Armstrong, who started 54 games for the Blazers last season between second base and designated player, has moved to third base. Armstrong was named to the C-USA All-Freshman team after posting a .260 batting average and a .416 slugging percentage. She recorded 12 extra-base hits and had five home runs.
"Kate has moved from second to third and is doing a great job," Townsend said. "She has a quick glove, so she'll be on the left side of the infield as well as Kayla Orr. Kayla did a great job for us last year at shortstop and we are continuing to work on her range."
With senior third baseman Donna Plath recovering from an injury, freshman Kristen McGrath, Megan's twin sister, will be the backup at third. McGrath hit .561 with seven home runs and 30 RBI during her senior season at Gaither High School (Fla.).
"Kristen is doing an outstanding job of playing solid defense at third base and she's one of our top hitters so she could see some time possibly in the designated player position," Townsend said.
